Always place your posts at the very top of the page so newcomers to the site can see the new posts first when the page loads.
Insert a line between your posting and the next piece of text on the page.
Start your posts with the date of your posting, your name, and your school in BLD, for example: December 16, 2015 - Nadine- ISB.
Write a brief explanation why you like the book and to whom you would recommend it. You may also include hyperlinks to relevant websites
March 7, Rebecca Taylor - Beanstalk International School The Singing Bones : Inspired by Grimms' Fairy Tales (October 2015)In this beautifully presented volume, the essence of seventy-five fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm is wonderfully evoked by Shaun Tan's extraordinary sculptures. Nameless princes, wicked stepsisters, greedy kings, honourable peasants and ruthless witches, tales of love, betrayal, adventure and magical transformation: all inspiration for this stunning gallery of sculptural works.
Are You Seeing Me? byGroth, DarrenTwins Justine and Perry have left their home in Australia and embarked on the road trip of a lifetime in the Pacific Northwest. It's been a year since their dad lost his battle with cancer and Justine became the sole caregiver for her autistic brother, Perry. Now Perry has been accepted into an assisted-living residence in their hometown, Brisbane, Australia, but before he takes up residence, they're seeking to create the perfect memory.
Nomination- Bronze and Sunflower by Cao Wenxuan [translated by Helen Wang] (2015) March 2nd, 2016 - Dave Haysom - BWYA
A rare example of fiction for young adults translated from the Chinese, this is a classic coming-of-age tale set during the Cultural Revolution. From the Walker Books site: When Sunflower, a young city girl, moves to the countryside, she grows to love the reed marsh lands – the endlessly flowing river, the friendly buffalo with their strong backs and shiny round heads, the sky that stretches on and on in its vastness. However, the days are long, and the little girl is lonely. Then she meets Bronze, who, unable to speak, is ostracized by the other village boys. Soon the pair are inseparable, and when Bronze’s family agree to take Sunflower in, it seems that fate has brought him the sister he has always longed for. But life in Damaidi is hard, and Bronze’s family can barely afford to feed themselves. Will the city girl be able to stay in this place where she has finally found happiness?
It was including on a Christmas 2015 list of "books to inspire young people" in the Independent.
Nomination- Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella (2015) February 28, 2016- Jinx Morgan- IST
I just read this book that is on several award lists and I loved it. It's realistic fiction about a homebound 14 year old girl suffering from severe anxiety after being bullied at school. (The bullying is never detailed). At times poignant and alternatively hilarious, the novel is told from Audrey's point of view. Her observations about her brother, addicted to video games, and her mother's attempts to control her teens are the funny side. There's a little romance with Linus, a friend of her brother's, who meets her while visiting the house and is instrumental in putting her on the road to recovery. I think grades 5-9 will fly through it.
Nomination: I Kill The Mockingbird by Paul Acampora (2014) February 28, 2016- Jinx Morgan- IST
This was a very edgy novel about 3 students who use a social media campaign to raise consciousness about the classic "To Kill A Mockingbird." It's not vey long (166 p.) and I loved it. It's very timely and is on many award lists. It could also go on the Mature list; I have several Grade 9 Korean students whoa re reading it.
Nomination - Island, by Nicky Singer February 24, 2016 - Marion van Engelen, IS Luxembourg
Tells the story of a teenager forced to go and do research with his Mum on a disappearing (melting) Arctic island in Northern Canada. Here he meets Inuluk and her grandmother, representing the old and threatened culture of the Inuits. The book was first written as a play, and performed for a year around the UK, before it was turned into this novel. I enjoyed it a lot, it is well written, and the theme of global climate change and disappearance of distinct cultures is addressed well.
Nomination - The Marvels, by Brian Selznick February 24, 2016 - Marion van Engelen, IS Luxembourg
This time the author of The invention of Hugo Cabret and Wonderstruck, has created two stories, one of them purely in pictures, the other in prose. They will come together in a 'beguiling narrative puzzle' (book cover).
Nomination - Sophie Someone by Hayley Long February 24, 2016 - Marion van Engelen, IS Luxembourg
Themes include overseas living (expats), dyslexia, coming-of-age. I loved it. "A story of well-intentioned but stupid parenting, shock, acceptance and, ultimately, forgiveness, written in a brave, memorable and unique language all of its own." (from Browns Books UK)
Nomination - Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova January 26, 2016 - Betsy Woolley, DAIS Have not read it, but it seems like a good graphic novel candidate. It has received starred reviews and is on several "Best Books" lists.
"After shunning Jaime, the school nerd, on her first day at a new middle school, Penelope Torres tries to blend in with her new friends in the art club, until the art club goes to war with the science club, of which Jaime is a member"--OCLC.
Nomination - Fish in a Tree by Lynda Hunt January 27, 2016 - Betsy Woolley, DAIS
Nominated on the basis of starred reviews and place on several Best Books lists.
"Ally's greatest fear is that everyone will find out she is as dumb as they think she is because she still doesn't know how to read"
Nomination - Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead January 27, 2016- Betsy Woolley, DAIS
Nominated on the basis of starred reviews and Best Book lists, along with author's reputation.
As Bridge makes her way through seventh grade on Manhattan's Upper West Side with her best friends, curvacious Em, crusader Tab, and a curious new friend, she finds the answers she has been seeking.
Nomination - The Nest by Ken Oppel (and illustrated by Jon Klassen) January 27, 2016 - Betsy Woolley, DAIS
Nominated on the basis of starred reviews, best books lists, and author's reputation.
"When wasps come to Steve in a dream offering to fix his sick baby brother, he thinks all he has to do is say yes. But yes may not mean what Steve thinks it means"
How to post a nomination
March 7, Rebecca Taylor - Beanstalk International School
The Singing Bones : Inspired by Grimms' Fairy Tales (October 2015)In this beautifully presented volume, the essence of seventy-five fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm is wonderfully evoked by Shaun Tan's extraordinary sculptures. Nameless princes, wicked stepsisters, greedy kings, honourable peasants and ruthless witches, tales of love, betrayal, adventure and magical transformation: all inspiration for this stunning gallery of sculptural works.
Are You Seeing Me? by Groth, DarrenTwins Justine and Perry have left their home in Australia and embarked on the road trip of a lifetime in the Pacific Northwest. It's been a year since their dad lost his battle with cancer and Justine became the sole caregiver for her autistic brother, Perry. Now Perry has been accepted into an assisted-living residence in their hometown, Brisbane, Australia, but before he takes up residence, they're seeking to create the perfect memory.
Nomination- Bronze and Sunflower by Cao Wenxuan [translated by Helen Wang] (2015)
March 2nd, 2016 - Dave Haysom - BWYA
A rare example of fiction for young adults translated from the Chinese, this is a classic coming-of-age tale set during the Cultural Revolution. From the Walker Books site: When Sunflower, a young city girl, moves to the countryside, she grows to love the reed marsh lands – the endlessly flowing river, the friendly buffalo with their strong backs and shiny round heads, the sky that stretches on and on in its vastness. However, the days are long, and the little girl is lonely. Then she meets Bronze, who, unable to speak, is ostracized by the other village boys. Soon the pair are inseparable, and when Bronze’s family agree to take Sunflower in, it seems that fate has brought him the sister he has always longed for. But life in Damaidi is hard, and Bronze’s family can barely afford to feed themselves. Will the city girl be able to stay in this place where she has finally found happiness?
It was including on a Christmas 2015 list of "books to inspire young people" in the Independent.
Nomination- Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella (2015)
February 28, 2016- Jinx Morgan- IST
I just read this book that is on several award lists and I loved it. It's realistic fiction about a homebound 14 year old girl suffering from severe anxiety after being bullied at school. (The bullying is never detailed). At times poignant and alternatively hilarious, the novel is told from Audrey's point of view. Her observations about her brother, addicted to video games, and her mother's attempts to control her teens are the funny side. There's a little romance with Linus, a friend of her brother's, who meets her while visiting the house and is instrumental in putting her on the road to recovery. I think grades 5-9 will fly through it.
Nomination: I Kill The Mockingbird by Paul Acampora (2014)
February 28, 2016- Jinx Morgan- IST
This was a very edgy novel about 3 students who use a social media campaign to raise consciousness about the classic "To Kill A Mockingbird." It's not vey long (166 p.) and I loved it. It's very timely and is on many award lists. It could also go on the Mature list; I have several Grade 9 Korean students whoa re reading it.
Nomination - Island, by Nicky Singer
February 24, 2016 - Marion van Engelen, IS Luxembourg
Tells the story of a teenager forced to go and do research with his Mum on a disappearing (melting) Arctic island in Northern Canada. Here he meets Inuluk and her grandmother, representing the old and threatened culture of the Inuits. The book was first written as a play, and performed for a year around the UK, before it was turned into this novel. I enjoyed it a lot, it is well written, and the theme of global climate change and disappearance of distinct cultures is addressed well.
Nomination - The Marvels, by Brian Selznick
February 24, 2016 - Marion van Engelen, IS Luxembourg
This time the author of The invention of Hugo Cabret and Wonderstruck, has created two stories, one of them purely in pictures, the other in prose. They will come together in a 'beguiling narrative puzzle' (book cover).
Nomination - Sophie Someone by Hayley Long
February 24, 2016 - Marion van Engelen, IS Luxembourg
Themes include overseas living (expats), dyslexia, coming-of-age. I loved it. "A story of well-intentioned but stupid parenting, shock, acceptance and, ultimately, forgiveness, written in a brave, memorable and unique language all of its own." (from Browns Books UK)
Nomination - Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova
January 26, 2016 - Betsy Woolley, DAIS
Have not read it, but it seems like a good graphic novel candidate. It has received starred reviews and is on several "Best Books" lists.
"After shunning Jaime, the school nerd, on her first day at a new middle school, Penelope Torres tries to blend in with her new friends in the art club, until the art club goes to war with the science club, of which Jaime is a member"--OCLC.
Nomination - Fish in a Tree by Lynda Hunt
January 27, 2016 - Betsy Woolley, DAIS
Nominated on the basis of starred reviews and place on several Best Books lists.
"Ally's greatest fear is that everyone will find out she is as dumb as they think she is because she still doesn't know how to read"
Nomination - Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead
January 27, 2016- Betsy Woolley, DAIS
Nominated on the basis of starred reviews and Best Book lists, along with author's reputation.
As Bridge makes her way through seventh grade on Manhattan's Upper West Side with her best friends, curvacious Em, crusader Tab, and a curious new friend, she finds the answers she has been seeking.
Nomination - The Nest by Ken Oppel (and illustrated by Jon Klassen)
January 27, 2016 - Betsy Woolley, DAIS
Nominated on the basis of starred reviews, best books lists, and author's reputation.
"When wasps come to Steve in a dream offering to fix his sick baby brother, he thinks all he has to do is say yes. But yes may not mean what Steve thinks it means"